Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

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14 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE REPORT OF ATLANTIC PRESBYTERY The Atlantic Presbytery met on two occasions since last year's report to Synod, on October 11, 1996 at Hazleton, Pennsylvania for the organization of Hazleton Area Reformed Presbyterian Church, and on March 13-14, 1997 at Cambridge, Massachusetts. We give special praise to our sovereign Lord for building and blessing His church over the past year, with the addition of a seventh organized congregation to our Presbytery. Of the seven established congregations and two mission churches in Atlantic Presbytery, four congregations are currently served by ministers: Broomall, PA; Coldenham-Newburgh, NY; Elkins Park, PA; and White Lake, NY. Ridgefield Park, NJ anticipates the arrival of its new pastor, Rev. J. Bruce Martin, at the end of this month. The Cambridge pulpit is declared vacant as of March 16. Hazleton Area RPC does not yet have a settled pastor. Lancaster Area RP (Mission) Church, Lancaster, PA welcomed Rev. Mark England as church planting pastor on November 16, 1996. Grace RP (Mission) Church in Middletown, NY continues to be served by the Rev. H. Leverne Rosenberger, church planter. The Broomall congregation continues to be served by Dr. William J. Edgar. In addition to his local pastoral duties, Dr. Edgar is active on the Presbytery and Synod levels of the Church. He also continues his full time teaching work at a local high school. The weekly schedule remains asit has been, with morning and afternoon services on Sabbath and the Wednesday prayer meeting. The congregation has been pleased by the attendance of several adherents during the past year and is anticipating several of them becoming members. In 1996, Michael Lydon was ordained and installed in the office of ruling elder. Improvements to the Church property included new roofs on the church building and on the parsonage, and a new carpet in the sanctuary. Broomall has continued its support of the Lancaster work with families worshipping with them week by week. The Cambridge congregation is without a pastor, as Pastor James Kern resigned from its pulpit in March. Jim's faithful labors have been greatly appreciated by all, and they are glad that the Kerns plan to remain in their midst. The congregation has been privileged to minister to several families who came to the Boston area for short-term work situations over the past year. There is a strong desire to have a more fruitful outreach to unconverted friends and family members. Reshingling of the front of the church building was completed in the fall. The Coldenham-Newburgh congregation is shepherded by Pastor Charles Leach. Communicant membership increased by four in 1996, for which they thank God. 1996 was also a year for births, with the baptism of five babies! Death has also visited the congregation, with two members being called home in the fall of 1996 and another member this spring. The session realizes the critical need for faithfulness to Christ, and prays for diligence and positive results in addressing the
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 15 problem of delinquent members. The election of deacons in December 1996 was an answer to a long-standing prayer. Pray for the session and membership in working together side by side for the cause of Christ's kingdom and mutual growth in His grace. The Elkins Park congregation has been served by Pastor Tony Cowley for seven years. There are no resident elders, but Glen Chin (of Ridgefield Park) serves as provisional elder. The session has been encouraged in seeing the addition of a number of young families and an engaged couple. Some members of long-standing left for other denominations in 1996. There is an increased spirit of unity. The congregation is strongly committed to Reformed theology, but there Is a need to grow in individual and corporate understanding of, and commitment to, Reformed government and worship. In September 1996 three elders were elected and two of them have consented to be examined for ordination this spring. The Grace mission church (Middletown, NY) is under the pastoral oversight of Mr. Leverne Rosenberger and the Middletown Commission. David Coon continues as Moderator of the Commission and Charles Leach as Clerk. Don Crawford Is now member Emeritus, he having moved to Cheshire, CT. Deacon Dan Bosch now serves on the Commission, together with Michael DeSocio of the Middletown congregation, and H.L. Rosenberger, ex officio. The congregation has lost the support of several families recently, one through death, two through moving away, one about to move away. Special prayer is requested for a new leadership family to work with Mr. Rosenberger in developing the church. The Hazleton Area Reformed Presbyterian Church purchased a building for worship and fellowship at 9th and Roosevelt Streets in Hazleton, PA last August, 1996, which is now almost completely renovated. The congregation was duly organized on October 11,1996 by the Atlantic Presbytery. The two elders on location and on the Hazleton Commission were installed and became the Hazleton Session. The average weekly attendance for 1996 has been 31. They now have a total of 31 (communicant and baptized) members. The Lancaster mission church is under the pastoral oversight of church planter Mr. Mark England and the Lancaster Commission (temporary governing body). Mr. England began preaching on October 13, 1996 and was installed on November 16. The congregation meets weekly for worship and is currently conducting regular Bible studies in Lancaster and York, PA. Worship attendance averages in the low twenties. The membership roll has grown to 21, up 3 from the previous year. The congregation is thankful for the aid it receives from the HMB, and enjoys the close relationship it has with the Broomall congregation. It is thankful for the mercies of God, and continues to seek the face of our Lord Christ. The Ridgefield Park congregation testifies of God's grace towards them. Over the past two years they have been challenged as a congregation as they have sought a new pastor. They have sought to maintain good fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and evangelism while without a pastor. As they look forward to J. Bruce Martin
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